Cover image courtesy of Bjorn Baker Racing
Bjorn Baker has fond memories of Unencumbered – a speedy son of Testa Rossa who had plenty of ability.
Unencumbered made the perfect start to his career, winning a 2-year-old race at Randwick in October 2013, before running third at Rosehill at his next outing.
After a short let-up, he resumed with a victory at Randwick-Kensington and then improved his record to three wins from four starts when taking out the R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic.
Unencumbered – a $70,000 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase from the draft of Newhaven Park - would then head to Queensland, where he notched his first Group win in the G3 BJ McLachlan S., laying a marker for the rich Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast in the process.
Unencumbered when racing | Image courtesy of Sportpix
The 2-year-old faced 15 rivals in the 1200-metre feature and was heavily supported, jumping the pronounced $3.20 favourite.
With the late Nathan Berry in the saddle, Unencumbered enjoyed a cosy run throughout and chased down Oakleigh Girl (Snitzel) to hit the front and draw clear for a 0.75l victory, handing trainer Baker and Berry one of their biggest moments in their time in racing.
“He was a great horse for me, Unencumbered, a super horse, and his win on the Gold Coast was very important for my career,” Baker told TDN AusNZ.
“He was a great horse for me, Unencumbered, a super horse, and his win on the Gold Coast was very important for my career.” - Bjorn Baker
The colt would go winless in a further four starts before retirement, but he did run second behind Ghibellines in the G2 Todman S. ahead of a tilt at the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Unencumbered stood four seasons at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, covering 489 mares, before dying following complications post-surgery; he had been diagnosed with chondritis, a progressive inflammatory condition of the throat.
His progeny have enhanced his legacy, with the likes of Beau Rossa, Felicia, Free Of Debt and Mirette all chalking up stakes wins.
Gallery: Some of Unencumbered's Group-winning progeny, images courtesy of Racing Photos
Baker has one of the favourites for the 2023 Magic Millions 2YO Classic and she will head to the race via a similar path to Unencumbered.
Infatuation (I Am Invincible) is currently a $15 chance for the January 14 race, which is worth $2 million.
The filly looks to enhance her credentials for that race in Wednesday’s R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic.
“It’s (Wyong) a good-money race and a logical progression to the Gold Coast, and you’ve got to be in to win, so it works out well,” he said.
“It’s (Wyong) a good-money race and a logical progression to the Gold Coast, and you’ve got to be in to win, so it works out well.” - Bjorn Baker
A 'good 2-year-old'
Baker has a very good opinion of Infatuation, revealing she is one of the better juveniles in his stable.
Infatuation has been to the races on two occasions, finishing fifth behind the talented Barber (Exceed And Excel) in the Kirkham Plate when on debut, before running the Godolphin-raced colt to 0.14l in the $1 million Golden Gift on November 5.
“It’s very important to have a good 2-year-old in the stable and she is definitely one of the better ones I’ve had,” Baker said.
“It’s very important to have a good 2-year-old in the stable and she (Infatuation) is definitely one of the better ones I’ve had.” - Bjorn Baker
“She’s a tough filly and at this stage, she has copped everything really well.
“She’s not the most laidback filly, but she’s got that natural speed.
“In terms of her racing manners, she’s not the finished product. Hopefully come January 14, she’ll be spot on.”
Bred by Gall Bloodstock, Infatuation was offered by Yarraman Park Stud at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where Baker, MyRacehorse and Clarke Bloodstock Pty Ltd (FBAA) went to $400,000 for her.
Infatuation as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Infatuation will break from barrier two on Wednesday under Rachel King.
“She’s come through her last run really well, we’re very happy with her,” Baker added.
“She’s drawn a good gate which helps.
“It’s not an easy race and you never expect it to be, but she’s a natural athlete, she’s had a bit of a freshen-up and she’s going well.”
“It’s not an easy race and you never expect it to be, but she’s (Infatuation) a natural athlete, she’s had a bit of a freshen-up and she’s going well.” - Bjorn Baker
From the winning Strada mare Sweet Kiss, Infatuation is a half-sister to the three-time winner, Group 1 placegetter Gotta Kiss (Not A Single Doubt).
Sweet Kiss has a yearling filly on the ground and slipped to I Am Invincible last spring.
Infatuation faces strong opposition at Wyong
The R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic has produced some very good winners throughout the journey. Following Unencumbered’s triumph in 2013, Zoutenant (Zizou) – a Group 2 runner-up to Exosphere at three – won in 2014, before gun colt Capitalist scored in 2015. Other winners since then include Listed winners Madeenaty (Exceed And Excel) and Unite And Conquer and Group 1 stars Jonker and Farnan.
Thirteen runners accepted for this year’s edition, which is worth $200,000, however, the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Snapback (Snitzel) has been scratched. That stable will be represented by Sovereign Fund, who will debut with James McDonald in the saddle. The Capitalist colt made $550,000 from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Gallery: Some of the recent winners of the R. Listed Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic, images courtesy of Magic Millions
The Michael Freedman-trained Mach Ten (Exceed And Excel) is sure to have his admirers following his encouraging debut second behind Empire Of Japan (Snitzel) in the G3 Breeders’ Plate at Randwick on October 1. A $1.2 million yearling for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Mach Ten has since won an 898-metre Canterbury trial by 1.24l.
Summer Loving (Exceed And Excel) – a $425,000 yearling - ran well on debut, finishing on the heels of Infatuation in the Golden Gift.
The only runner in the race to have a win to its credit is Brad Widdup’s Fire Lane (Hellbent), who broke through on debut in the $150,000 Max Lees Classic at Newcastle, touching off the highly rated James Cummings-trained Cylinder (Exceed And Excel) by 0.04l.
